Nero is one of the most famous Emperors of Rome: he's been the subject of many debates among historians from all ages, and he's been the centre of news and gossip in life as well as in death. The reason behind all the interest about Nero has been his personality: a controversial man characterised by many contradictions.
The Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma created an exhibition through scientific contents and data, which tells of the man and his kingdom through archaeological and historical sources: the project is ambitious and complex, and the aim is to represent as many points of view as possible, to obtain a portrait of the Emperor complete and truthful.
The exhibition is held in different monuments across the Foro Romano and Palatino area, finishing with the second stage at the Colosseo: this choice matches the idea of having the exhibition in the same places where Nero lived and where many of the events displayed happened.

In the Curia Julia are portraits of the imperial family, who shared their daily lives with Nero, especially Nero's father Claudius, the mother Agrippina and the Emperor's wives. Together with the official image of Nero, is displayed a gallery of the Emperor’s representations realised in different centuries: each one representing the interpretation of Nero given by different eras.

At Tempio di Romolo the exhibition is dedicated to Nero and the cinema: a character, strong and intense with magnetic charms, memorably performed in many great productions.
The amazing Palace, with decorations, stuccoes and frescoes by the finest artists are reproduced in the Cryptoporticus, the underground corridor which connected the Domus Aurea with the imperial residences at Palatino. In this same corridor images displaying official Emperor's propaganda: especially his celebration as the one who won over the Parthi and his identification with the Sun god.

Palatino Museum illustrates the luxury of the palace, the finest series of objects and decorations Nero wanted to be surrounded by.

The last sections are at the Colosseo. The first tells of the fire which devastated the centre of Rome in 64 AD: archaeological digs have made it possible to understand, with full details, how the area was before the fire, the development of the fire itself and how the area was modified by the building constructed in the years after. Completing the exhibition is a section about the many villas which the Emperor wanted to build across Italy.